F3: Welcome to chapter 24 of Volume 5. We last left off with the group meeting up to discuss of how to defend the academy while the spy has been found out and has fled. RWBY is property of Rooster Teeth. OC characters will be credited to the author(s). With that said Let's Get Started.
Volume 5-24: Making Plans.
Summer had made it to the cavern just like she originally thought and they were now making their way through it. However Summer instructed them to be very careful as the cavern was narrow but wide enough for them to walk. Killa was riding on one of her sybers to make sure no other grimm would sneak up on them and to insure that the rest of the company is safe.
"Summer! How much further!?" Kali called out.
"If we keep this up then we should be their within the next couple hours. After we get out we'll make camp at the entrance!" Summer called back as they moved forward. Iona was walking with Blake, Sun, and Rieka near the back of the group. Iona was secretly checking for grimm using her semblance sending pulses underneath them incase they were any grimm underneath them.
However the pulse came back to her rather quickly than the other ones which made her stop a moment.
"Something wrong Iona?" Blake asked.
"Don't move." Iona answered as she tapped the ground with her foot just to be sure she wasn't mistaken.
"Um... what are you doing?" Sun asked rather confused but he got no response from her.
The pulse returned again just like last time like it was reflecting off something which was a great sign for her.
"Everyone stop!" Iona shouted making everyone stopped moving.
"What is it?" Blake asked.
Just then Killas sybers started growling almost like they to were sensing danger as they scanned the area around.
"Hey boy. Something wrong?" Killa asked noticing how it was moved.
"I think we've got company." Iona said turning to Blake.
"Grimm? Here in the caverns." Blake added as Iona nodded.
"I'm not sure how many but probably a rough estimate... five to maybe six centinals." Iona stated.
"Those kind of grimm like to dig underground and attack their prey." Blake replied.
"Okay how do we deal with them?" Sun asked his hand on his weapon.
"First we need to get everyone to move we can't fight them if they are here. Then we draw them out." Iona replied.
"How are you going to do that?" Sun asked.
"My semblance. I can make a small tremor loud enough that will draw out the grimm and then we can take them out before they become a hassle." Iona replied.
"That does sound like a good idea." Sun added.
"No." Summer suddenly said as she was standing next to the three.
"What do you mean no? If the grimm become a problem then the whole group will be trouble." Iona said.
"We don't bother the grimm. If we attack them then it'll attract more grimm and that is something we don't want." Summer stated firmly.
"Yeah but-" Iona said.
"NO!" Summer shouted silencing her.
"We move on." Summer said before turning to their army "Everyone move out!" She ordered as the group started moving again. Then she turned back to Iona.
"We cannot risk anyone else getting hurt. We leave the grimm alone." Summer said as she walked away from them as she was making her way back toward the front of the group.
"C'mon it's best that for now we get out of the cavern so that we don't attract any grimm." Blake replied as the pressed onward much to Ionas disappointment as she was carefully on the lookout for any other grimm that would come out and attack them.
A few hours later they could see light ahead of them as they were nearing the exit of the cavern.
"Alright everyone we are nearing the exit once you get out we're going to need to make camp so I'm going to need tents to be set up quickly!" Summer ordered as they started to make they're way out of the cavern.
Eventually everyone made it out of the cavern as they gathered just outside it.
"Alright everyone get started setting up. Also going to need some hunting teams to gather food." Summer ordered as they did what they were told as everyone started getting to work on making a campsite for everyone.
"So how far are we from the academy?" Kali asked.
"From here? We're at least a whole day away from the academy. All we have to do is to follow up that road and we'll be their by noon tomorrow at least." Summer stated.
"Then why don't we keep walking? We can be their faster if we keep going." Iona suggested.
"And tire everyone out. No chance. Plus we can use this opportunity to train them. The more we are prepared the quicker we can defeat the White Fang. Not to mention to train your powers." Summer stated.
"Yeah... you got a point." Iona added.
"Now help everyone set up camp then we'll need a hunting party to go hunt some game." Summer replied.
"I'll go. I've hunted some small and big game for a while." Blake added.
"Good but take some others with you. Everyone else get camp set up." Summer ordered as they did just what Summer told them with Blake getting a few people with her to go hunting for some smaller game so that they didn't use up the remains of their rations.
Within an hour camp was set up so that they had a place to sleep for the next couple nights. Rieka was already setting up a training regiment for the other soldiers making sure they were in tip top shape all the while Summer was with Iona training on her maiden powers.
"Alright now that learned somethings about your maiden powers let's try focusing on the other asspects of your powers. You've learned about flight but now we'll try something a little different. How to combine it with your semblance." Summer replied.
"Combine it with my semblance? How can I do that?" Iona asked.
"Draw upon your semblance like you would normally but while your doing that you also connect with your maiden powers feel it flow through you and then combine them." Summer instructed.
Iona sighed as she did what Summer told her as she focused on her semblance activating her aura. Once she got a grasp of it she focused on activating her maiden powers. However during her activating her maiden powers she felt herself burning up just by triggering her powers. Her body was swetting up a storm in which Summer noticed as it was having a bad reaction to activating her powers.
"Okay that's enough!" Summer ordered as Iona stopped before being brought to a knee as she was breathing rather hard. Summer immediately went over to check on her but when she touched her she pulled her hand away as Ionas body was literally hot.
"Okay that shouldn't of happened." Summer said.
"You think so why does my body feel like an oven right now?" Iona asked trying to prevent herself from burning up.
"Alright just calm yourself down. You've done everything that was told. We're just going to have to practice it a bit more." Summer replied.
"Yeah I guess but how do I make my body stop burning?" Iona questioned.
"This has never happened before. I just need you to calm yourself down and get your temperature down." Summer instructed as Iona did just that which after ten minutes her body temperature returned to normal but it was still rather frightening for her that she experianced it.
"Maybe we'll take it one step at a time before doing it again." Summer suggested.
"Hey Summer I've got a question. How do you know so much about maiden powers?" Iona asked but Summer didn't answer immediately before she stepped away for a moment.
"We'll try again later. Just calm yourself down a bit." Summer ordered before stepping away letting Iona relax herself. However Iona has this nagging feeling that she was letting on more than she is but for now she had to focus on making sure her body doesn't burst into flames.
=SPIR=
At Haven Academy they going over plans for of how to properly defend the academy even with how little their forces were still needed a proper defense even though they were more than likely facing a small army.
"We have to take every vantage point we can get. Be ready for anything that they throw at us. Also remember they will do whatever it takes to kill you so don't hold back or they you will be killed." Adam stated.
"Our best vantage points are here and here." Raven said pointing two spot on map of the academy.
"These rooftops are our best bet. We can leave our best sharpshooters their. Ruby, May you two up for that?" Raven asked.
"Yeah that sounds good." Ruby agreed.
"No complaints here." May added.
"Good. Then we're going to need our front fighters. Yang, Pepper, Nora, Cardin. I'm going to need you four in front lines. Nora can attack from a distance to keep them busy while the rest of you can hold them back." Raven added.
"I'll go with them as well. To provide extra backup." Adam replied.
"The rest of you will defend the inner premeter. Make sure they can't get to the towers." Raven stressed.
"While that is all happening. Myself along with Oscar, Colby, and Senka will enter the academy to retrieve the relic." Raven said.
"Um wouldn't we need the artifact to go with it?" Senka asked.
"Lionheart more than likely is in pocession of the artifact that we need to get to the vault." Raven added.
"Then why don't we just talk to him. Ask for the artifact and then get the relic before the White Fang get here." Akane suggested.
"As much as I would like to. I don't trust him. If what you three were saying earlier is true then I want to keep Lionheart at arms length. For now I want all of you to get familiar with this place. We still have time before they get here so I suggest everyone to take advantage of the academy boundaries." Raven added.
Everyone nodded in agreement of this plan.
"Alright but if things get messy we fall back to inside the academy." Raven stated as they all nodded in agreement.
"Good. That's all for now." She said dismissing everyone as they all went to do what needed to be done.
"Akane." Raven called out stopping the girl for a moment.
"Is it alright that I speak with you a moment?" She asked.
"Oh uh... sure." Akane answered awkwardly as she walked over to the taller woman.
"Do you need something?" Akane asked curiously.
"Actually... I want you to keep an eye on Ruby for me." Raven stated which surprised Akane.
"Okay... is their a reason for that? I'm sure she can handle herself." Akane questioned.
"I'm not denying that Ruby can handle herself in a fight but their is another reason that I'm sure you know about. After all you both have silver eyes." Raven mentioned which made Akane freeze a moment.
"I've read the reports about a girl about twelve years old stopping a stampede of grimm with a flash of white light. Though there is also a report stating that also this said girl went on a rampage a year later." Raven stated.
Akane didn't say anything at first but knows what the woman was talking about.
"So... you know all about that." Akane said looking away shamefully.
"Yeah... I do. Which also means you know what you've been through and what to expect. I just don't want Ruby to experiance that kind of side of herself." Raven replied folding her arms.
"If you like I can make sure that nothing bad happens to her." Akane said.
"It's not that. I just don't want her to get angry to the point she discovers the other half of her silver eyes powers. Which is also why I moved her more away from the battle with May but I still want you to keep an eye on her." Raven added.
"Don't worry ma'am. You can count on me." Akane said before leaving Raven to her own devices.
"I sure hope so." Raven added as she went over the plans again plus she need to make a call more importantly to Tai to have those other two ready just incase.
After the meeting everyone went to do what they normally do. Star and Neo decided to spend time together as they both missed each other after so long apart.
"So Neo... I know I said this already but I'm really glad that you're okay. It wasn't exactly easy without knowing where everyone's at." Star said.
Neo nodded "Agreed. I was not wanting to see your picture of those that had died." She signed.
"That's good to know. Besides I had a feeling you would make it out. You're just as sly and clever as a fox." Star praised.
Neo smiled at that then used her semblance to make herself grow a pair of fox ears and a tail almost mimicking Star.
"Okay no need to go that far but you do look cuter that way though." Star replied making Neo blush at that as her illusion disappeared.
"I'm sorry... about what happened to Cinder. She was like a sister to you and the others." Neo signed.
Star stayed silent a moment as she took in a breath of air and let it out slowly and then she calmly spoke.
"Yeah... it was rough seeing her picture amongst those that have died but I'm not the only one that has lost someone important to them. Velvet's whole team turned on her. All of Cardin's team is gone along with May's. Jaune and Nora are the last two of their team and you've lost someone important to you too." Star said pointing out the hat on her head.
Neo put a hand on the hat still having the best memories of her adoptive father Roman.
"And Rina is up in Atlas probably in jail. All the while we have to contend with the White Fang coming here trying to destroy another academy. Something that we will not allow." Star added getting slightly frustrated at the whole situation.
Neo could see Star's frustration and decided to handle it in her own way as she flicked Star on her head.
"Ow! What was that for?" Star asked rubbing the spot on her head.
All that Neo answered was with a raised eyebrow knowingly.
Star sighed as she calmed down a moment "Yeah I get it. I was getting frazzled there. We should enjoy what time we got. So up for some ice cream?" Star asked as Neo nodded vigoriously.
"Alright. I think their was an ice cream shop in town that I saw. Let's go." Star said as the two headed out into the town with Neo wrapping an arm around her girlfriends arm.
=RWBY=
In another part of the academy Weiss and Yang were actually doing some sparring on the training grounds as Yang was training Weiss in hand to hand combat which she caught on rather quick while the others were looking on. Yang went to throw a few jabs but Weiss's nimble body avoided each jab as took advantage of the opportunity to get behind Yang and deliever a hip kick which knocked Yang slightly off balance but she quickly recovered.
"Weiss picks up rather quick on hand to hand. Did you teach her some Pepper?" Jaune asked.
"A little bit here and there but never actually had a chance to train her on it but looks like she's getting better. Her stance is right on with that of a Swarmer style boxer." Pepper answered.
The two grappled trying to gain the upper hand on each other but with Yang's size she was clearly the stronger one of the two but didn't mean Weiss already knew that. So she decided to use Yang size to her advantage. She leaned back making Yang come forward at her losing her footing and then Weiss managed to flip the taller teen as she landed on her back.
"Ow. Okay that one hurt." Yang groaned.
A metal hand reached out to her as she looked to see Weiss offering her a hand up.
"Need a hand up." Weiss offered.
Yang smirked a little as she took the hand and Weiss pulled her up.
"Dang Weiss that was quite the toss. You certainly picked up on a few things." Yang complimented.
"It wasn't much really. You're stronger than I am so I thought I might as well use your size against you." Weiss deduced.
"Still no one been able to take me down like that in a while. Guess I'm going to need to brush up on a few things myself." Yang added.
"We're all going to need to be at our best. We don't know what our enemies are going to bring to the table." Weiss replied.
"Yeah good point." Yang said before turning to the others.
"So who's up next?" She asked.
Pepper got up from her bench and walked up to Yang "I can take a fight or two." She stated firmly.
"Okay and any other takers?" Yang asked. This time Cardin got up from his and walked.
"I'll take a crack at it. Gives me a chance to loosen up." Cardin said as he rolled his shoulders.
"Alright just don't go overboard with each other okay." Yang added as both she and Weiss stepped away so that those two could spar. Yang sat down near Ruby while Weiss sat to Adams right.
Everyone watched Pepper and Cardin spar they all had something on their minds.
"So... you think this battle plan of your mom's going to work?" Colby asked.
"Not sure but right now it's the best we got right now. If we can secure the relic and prevent the academy from being destroyed then its a win for us." Yang added.
"With an attitude like that than the academy will fall." Megs voice said nearby as they turned to face her.
"Mother..." Velvet replied.
"Oh you again. I thought you were doing something else than bothering us. I'm still not happy about the broken nose you gave me." Yang growled her eyes turning red.
"Instead of getting angry like you're doing right now then I suggest you listen." Meg scolded before continuing.
"Do you really think your plan is going to work the first time? Answer: no. No plan ever survives first contact. Everyone knows that which is why you must come up with more than one plan incase the first plan fails. Besides I'm sure you knos what you are up against." Meg stated.
"Yeah the White Fang." Yang replied.
"Wrong! You going up against an enemy that is willing to kill at any cost. They are not to be taken lightly and if you do then you'll meet a gruesome fate. Unless you are willing to do the same then this academy is finished." Meg replied.
"Whoa hold are saying that... we should kill them! Are you insane or something!? There's no way we'd do that!" Jaune shouted.
"Oh... from what I can tell two of you have killed before. If you don't do what is nessecary then you'll never defeat them." Meg replied as she then left them to their devices.
"What is with your mother? That was a jerk move." Nora replied not exactly happy with Meg.
"I'm really sorry about her. She's can be really intense at times." Velvet added.
"Yeah plus what does she mean that two of us has killed before. I know me and Yang haven't." Ruby said.
"The only person I've known that killed before is Adam. No offense." Yang added.
"None taken." Adam said but he turned to Weiss as she became suspiciously quiet and looking down at the floor as Adam took notice with Weiss being so quiet. Weiss got up from her seat and began to walk away catching everyones attention.
"Hey Weiss. Going somewhere?" Ruby asked making Weiss stopped.
She turned her head to face Ruby's gaze with a smile on her face.
"I'm just going for a walk that's all. I'll be back." Weiss said. She then looked straight ahead and then continued walking away from them. Adam got up from his seat and decided to go after her.
By then Pepper had landed a solid blow to Cardin knocking him away from her as he landed flat on his back making everyone wince at that.
"Ouch. You okay dude?" Yang asked.
Cardin gave a thumbs up "Yep totally okay." He grunted as he slowly got back up with Peppers help.
"You really don't pull your punches huh." Cardin added.
"Nope. I alway go full tilt. Though sorry about all that." Pepper apologizes.
"Nah it's cool. We're going to need to go all out if we're going to prevent this place from getting destroyed." Cardin added.
"Yeah though we all also need to be in good physcial condition that we can." Pepper stated as the two went to sit down. However she noticed that both Adam and Weiss seemed to have stepped away for the time being.
"Alright next pair up." Yang instructed as they continued to go through the training.
At that moment Weiss was going through her own thoughts more important about what Meg said to everyone. She didn't want to say anything to the others especially in fear in how they'll react to her say that she had also killed someone even if she wasn't intended to. Right now she was distracting herself as she looked up at one of the two CCT Towers.
"So their you are. Walked away in a hurry you know." Adam said behind her as she didn't even have to look.
"Sorry I just... needed to take a walk." Weiss lied and Adam spotted it easily.
"We both know that's not it." He said well knowing what she was really talking about.
"You haven't told them yet... have you." Adam said.
"No I haven't. I mean it isn't just a subject to bring up to tell your friends that you've murdered someone. Just thinking about makes my stomach churn." Weiss added.
"I know... killing someone for the first time is never an easy one. I had no one to help me through what I did. You however have your friends to fall on... and you've got me too." Adam replied.
Weiss looked back to him taking his words to account as she let out a shaky breath as she nodded at this.
"I... want to tell them... they have the right know what I did." Weiss replied.
"Are you sure you want to tell them? You don't know how they'll react." Adam warned.
"I know... but they deserve to know." Weiss said firmly.
Both their eyes met and Adam could tell that she want to follow through with what she said. He walked up to Weiss and pulled her in to an embrace that she didn't resist almost like she melted into his touch.
"Alright but I'll be right next to you." Adam said before letting go.
Weiss took in a breath and let it out slowly "I'm ready." She said as they headed back to the group. Hopefully they would understand.
Once they've returned Nora and May had just finished there own spar as the noticed them coming back.
"Hey you two. Everything okay?" Ruby asked.
Weiss glanced to Adam who only nodded.
"Actually their is something I want to tell you all. Something I think you all deserve to know." Weiss replied which sort of confused everyone but Pepper had a feeling what she was going to talk about but didn't say anything.
After the group had gathered Weiss began to tell her tale about the events of Sumire and what else she had left out especially about have to kill Camilla.
"So... what Meg meant earlier... was that you've also killed someone." Jaune said rather shocked about what was heard.
Weiss nodded at this "Yes. Believe me when I say I wasn't too proud of what I did." Weiss replied.
"Was it justified?" Ravens voice spoke from behind her as she turned to see her.
"What do you mean?" Weiss asked.
"I'm saying was their any other options available to stop the fight. Was their any chance your opponent would've surrendered?" Raven questioned.
Weiss's thoughts went back to that day of the fight as she recalled every bit of it. Tried as she would've their was no other options of stopping her opponent other than killing them.
"No." Weiss said simply.
"Then it was justified. You're enemy was looking to kill you so it was either they killed you or you killed them. I know it's not the easiest of solutions but you had no other options." Raven stated talking from experiance.
"In a world that is this cruel... sometimes you have to do what is needed to survive but only if its truly nessecary." Raven said firmly.
"Plus... having people to keep you grounded will certainly help getting over the trauma of having to take someone elses life. Yet the guilt will always remain." Raven said gesturing to the others.
Weiss took a good look at everyone and they had looks of nothing but support especially her teammates.
"Thank you Raven." Weiss thanked.
"Don't thank me. Now why don't we get back to training." Raven added as they all got paired up into groups again ready for another round of training.
Meanwhile Star and Neo were starting to make their return to the academy after their little venture into town and having plenty of ice cream as well.
"Now I can see why you like this stuff. It's really good." Star said.
Neo only smiled as she was the one that paid for most of it. Though as they were walking back she noticed Lionheart out and about as he ducked into an alley. She nudged Star's shoulder and pointed him.
"Hm... what's up?" She asked as she looked to where Neo pointed to. Star just saw Lionheart slip into an alley.
"Now wonder what the headmaster of an esteemed academy is doing all the way down here?" She asked as the two went to investigate.
They inched near the alleyway hearing his voice from their as she listened carefully using her ears.
"Yes I'm certain that she is here. What can I do I can't just tell the to leave that would raise suspicion on me. Yes yes I know stick to the plan. Capture her daughter and she'll help without a fuss but thing is their is more than just her. She's brought kids along with her as well." Lionheart started as he was silent for a moment.
"I know... I know. I've got the key to the vault in my office then we'll use Raven to get the relic and you'll deliever it to your queen. I just hope for your sake that this plan had better work." He said before disconnecting and then began walking her way out of the alley.
Thinking fast Neo used her semblance to make them both vanish just as he walked past. After he was out of range of sight she dropped the illisuion.
"We have to get back to the academy and quick." Star said as the two took a different route back to the academy to go and tell the others what they've discovered.
F3: And this chapter 24. Star has just discovered what Lionheart is up too and now has go to warn them. Wonder how this will go? Let me know in the comments of how this story is going and don't forget to follow and/or favorite. With that said this is Fireuser3 and I'm Out.
